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(1904–1979). American writer.
Surveying
the subsequent career of this screenwriter—a few science fiction films,
several westerns, and numerous episodes of television westerns—some
commentators have regarded these lowly assignments as Hollywood's punishment
for his perfidy, but however satisfying this theory might be, there is no evidence
to support it. Even before his testimony, Berkeley had never been asked to work
on any major films, and many other writers in the 1950s could only find work
writing westerns and science fiction films. Further, though he undoubtedly
could have marketed his talents to other sorts of television programs, his
almost exclusive focus on westerns suggests that he
actually enjoyed writing them, apparently with consistently satisfactory
results.
Whether
he also enjoyed writing science fiction films is much more questionable, but
the available evidence indicates that he was rather good at it. To be sure,
writing "two of the greatest giant-insect movies of the 1950s" is not exactly
the highest compliment one could provide, but that is an accurate description
of Tarantula and The Deadly Mantis, energetic films that have
retained their power to entertain audiences. Revenge of the Creature is
less successful, but that is mainly due not to Berkeley's dialogue but to an
inept cast (led by John AGAR, William
ALLAND's contrived story, and Jack
ARNOLD's unusually flaccid direction.
Other
than his lamentable adventures in Washington, little about Berkeley's life has
been recorded, and we may never know precisely how this minor actor was able to
write two plays that were produced on Broadway, how he managed to land a job as
a screenwriter, and what he did after retiring in the 1960s to live in Florida.
Perhaps he was shunned by a few former colleagues, and perhaps he resented
having his actions criticized by individuals who didn't know what it felt like
to cower before an enormous monster and fear for one's life. So, yes, it may be
regrettable that Berkeley did not display more courage during his darkest hour,
but one must also acknowledge that he was facing a particularly odious and
vicious tarantula that ultimately harmed both its victims and its allies.
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